Glue Finishes

Standard CA Finish:

1) Turn (lathe speed is at the fastest or next to fastest setting or as fast as you are comfortable. This applies to pens only and finish will be better if CA is applied at a faster speed.) and sand pen to at least 400 grit (I prefer to sand to 400 and then Micro mesh from 1500-12,000).2) Apply Boiled Linseed Oil (with lathe running) liberally to a paper towel and apply to blank (do not burn this in. Leave wet on pen blank.3) With a new paper towel folded into a very tight square. I usually use 2 sheet as and fold into an approximate 2×3 square. Safety Glasses or a Face Shield are a must. I further recommend that you have some “Super Solvent” handy(super glue remover). Apply THIN CA to blank as the lather is still running at full or next to full speed (Jet lathe). Make one pass down and another pass back up the blank applying CA liberally. The paper towel should be held under the blank and moved with the CA bottle to keep CA off the lathe bed. Once you have completed pouring the CA onto the blank burn* it in with the paper towel (*applying pressure with thumb and index finger on opposing sides of the blank with the paper towel between fingers and blank. You know you are using enough pressure when you a) glue your fingers to the paper towel, b) produce a “smoke” that resembles tear gas or c) your fingers become very hot.Buy the cheapest paper towels you can find as you do not want to much absorbency as it just glues your fingers to the towel. Also do not wear good clothes while doing this.

4) Repeat steps 2 & 3 two more times or until the pours in the wood are filled. Some woods I have had to apply 6-8 coats to fill the grain.

5) With lathe still running fold a paper towel and apply a dot of Shellawax friction polish to the towel and then apply it to the length of the blank and burn* it into the blank. A dot will do. You know you are doing it right if you get a waxy skin on the paper towel. If the paper towel is still wet you need to add more pressure.

6) Repeat step 5) 2 more times.

7) Apply Carnuba wax bar to the blank and burn* it in.

8) Repeat 3 times.

9) Assemble pen.

As you apply any of these steps. Be sure and continue moving up and down the blank. Do not stop in any one place for any length of time.

Face shield is highly recommended as is proper dust mask or respirator when doing any turning or finishing. Be sure to follow all safety rules associated with turning when attempting any of the steps described here. If you are unfamiliar with all the safety rules associated with turning you must research them and be sure you understand them before beginning any of these processes. You are working with super glue and as above you should be familiar with all the safety concerns with using CA and if you are not you must research them on your own as both CA issues and turning safety issues are beyond the scope of this article.

Super CA Finishes

1) Turn and sand blank to 400 grit. I prefer to Follow 400 grit sanding with a dry sanding using Micro Mesh (1,500-12,00)

2) Turn Lathe speed to 500 or slower. Put a plastic baggie over index finger. Apply a liberal amount of MEDIUM CA to the plastic baggie. Move finger with plastic baggie up and down the turning blank. Use as little pressure as possible to apply the CA. Make sure you have enough CA so that it is applied the full length of the blank. Use the baggie to smooth out any large hills or valleys that may have occurred. With the lathe still running apply CA accelerator from approx 12” away from blank. Use as little as possible that still sets up the CA. I prefer the aerosol accelerator rather than aerosol version. You are less likely to pick up any contaminants that might be in the propellant.

3) Repeat process on more time unless doing some kind of under-layment then re-peat at least 2 or possibly 3 more times.

4) At this juncture, after all coats of CA have been applied I turn the lathe back up to full speed and with a parting tool. I make a cut right up against the blank going down to the bushings. This cuts off all the access CA off the blank and the bushings and will allow you to remove the bushings without damaging the finish.

5) With the Lathe stopped hand sand the blank with 400 grit paper until the CA finish is flat. No humps or Valleys. Be careful not to sand through the CA finish.

6) Once the finish is level (flat) turn lathe on and with wet Micro Mesh sand (polish) from 1500-12,000. Keep the micro mesh moving(do not stay in one area long). These steps do not require a lot of time. Usually 2-4 passes up and down the blank with each grit is all that is required.

7) Wipe off with a clean paper towel.

8) Assemble pen.

As you apply any of these steps. Be sure and continue moving up and down the blank. Do not stop in any one place for any length of time.

Face shield is highly recommended as is proper dust mask or respirator when doing any turning or finishing. Be sure to follow all safety rules associated with turning when attempting any of the steps described here. If you are unfamiliar with all the safety rules associated with turning you must research them and be sure you understand them before beginning any of these processes. You are working with super glue and as above you should be familiar with all the safety concerns with using CA and if you are not you must research them on your own as both CA issues and turning safety issues are beyond the scope of this article.